Stacking machine



STACKING MACHINE May 20, 1947. w, J, KlNG 2,420,828

STAGKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 20, 1947. w. J. KING 2,420,828

STACKING MACHINE Filed sept. 1v, 1945 5 sheets-sheet s Maly 2o, 1947,. w. J. KING 2,420,828

STACKING MACHINE f] (f f J7 60 43) 44 42 g en =U lllllllllllllll May 20, 1947. w. J. KING STACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17

. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 20, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l My invention relates to a machine for stacking or unstacking articles, such as boxes.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character which will manipulate lidded or unlidded boxes.-

for stacking or unstacking.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine ci? the above mentioned character which is adjustable within limits for handling boxes of different sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character whereby the raised box may be conveniently and accurately shifted laterally with respect to the stack, so that it will be properly centered upon the stack, without shifting-the entire machine.

A further object of the invention is to Iprovide means to absorb the shock if the motor is not stopped at the right moment when the box or the like is placed upon the stack.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned characterv which will operate rapidly. a

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine' of the above mentioned character which will manipulate one box or a stack of boxes and place the same upon another stack of boxes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming. a part of this application and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the Same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine ernbodying my invention,

Figure 2 is an edge elevation of the same,

Figure 3isfa plan view of the base frame, associated elements being omitted, and parts in horizontal section, p

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the base frame, Figure '5 is a side elevation of the clamping means and operating means thereof, associated elements omitted,

Figure 6 is an edge elevation of the same,

Figure 'I is a plan view of the same,

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a clamp and associated elements, parts omitted, and

Figure 9 is a perspective view, partly diagrammatic, of the driving means.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral I designatesa base frame which is preferably rectangular and has a transverse reinforcing bar or strip Il rigidly 2 secured to its sides and longitudinal reinforcing bars or strips I2 rigidly secured to the transverse strip II, and the back end oi' the base frame I0.

vThe sides of the frame I0 are provided near their back end with bearings I3, for holding rotatable horizontal transverse shafts I4, carrying wheels I5. Rigidly secured to the front end of the base frame III is a horizontal transverse platform I6, having swiveled caster wheels I1, arranged be neath it, and secured thereto. The base frame is therefore supported by wheels and Amay be steered in use.

The numeral I8 designates a main upstanding supporting structure or frame, having a suitable vertical length, depending upon the desired extent of travel of the carriage mounted thereon.

` 'I'his main upstanding frame comprises vertical back angle irons or bars I9, extending for the entire length of the upstanding frame and front vertical angle irons 20, extending from the bottom of frame I8 to intermediate horizontal bars 20', rigidly secured thereto and to the bars I9. A pair of spaced diagonal angle irons or bars 2| are rigidly secured at their lower ends to a transverse horizontal bar or angle iron 22, in turn rigidly secured to the horizontal bars 20'. The diagonal bars 2| have their upper ends rigidly secured to the vertical bars I9, near the upper ends of these vertical bars I9. The lower ends of the vertical bars I9 and 20 are rigidly secured to side horizontal bars or angle irons 23. The side or longitudinal bars or 'angle irons 23 are rigidly connected by transverse bars or angle irons 24. 'I'he angle irons or bars I9 are rigidly connected by intermediate transverse bars 25, having vertical angle irons 25 rigidly secured thereto.

The main supporting structure or frame I8 is transversely shiftable with respect to the base frame I0. The sides of the base frame I0 have bearings 21 rigidly secured thereto, rigidly holding horizontal transverse rods 28, arranged near the back and front ends of the base frame. The

bottom longitudinal or side bars 23 have bearings 29 rigidly secured thereto, and these bearings project downwardly below the bars 23 and have openings 3|)` to slidably receive the rods 28. 'I'he main supporting Istructure or frame I8 is thereforeslidably mounted upon the rods 28, to move longitudinally thereof.

Means are provided to shift the main supporting` structure or frame I8 longitudinally of the rods 2l, comprising a horizontal longitudinal rock shaft 3l, mounted within bearings 32, rigidly mounted upon the transverse bars 24. The rock 3 shaft 3| has a depending crank 33, rigidly secured thereto, andthis depending crank has pivotal connection at its lower end, as shown at 34, with a horizontal link 35, the outer end of which is pivoted at 36 with a vertical bracket 31, fixed to the side of the base frame l0. At its front end, the rock shaft 3| has an upstanding hand lever 38 rigidly secured thereto. This hand lever is arranged near and above the platform I6. The numeral 39 designates a vertically movable carriage, traveling longitudinally upon thebars or angle irons I9, serving as a track. This carriage -comprises end-s 40, Figure 8, which are L-shaped in horizontal cross section. Each end 40 includes a side web 4I and a transverse web 42. The transverse webs 42 have rigid connection at their upper ends with a wide strip, bar or web 43. The transverse webs 42 have vertical plates 44 rigidly secured thereto by bolts 45, and these bolts also pass through spaces 46. The lower spaces 46 may be continued in the form of a bar 41, rigidly connecting the lower portions of the ends 40. 'I'he plates 44 and transverse webs 42 form sockets or guides 44', slidably receiving flat arms or bars 48, to the outer ends of which L-shaped clamps 49 are rigidly mounted. Each clamp comprises an' upper inclined arm 50 having a pointed element or pin 5| at its upper end and a lower inclined arm 52, having a horizontal extension 53, and having pointed elements or pins 54.

The carriage is arranged to travel longitudinally of the angle irons I9, and the side webs 4l are disposed near and outwardly of the transverse webs of the angle irons I9. Figure '7. The side webs 4| carry pins 55, projecting beyond their inner faces, and these pins carry guide roller 56, engaging the opposite faces of the transverse web of the angle iron I9, the side webs 4| also slidably engaging the edges of the transverse webs of the angle irons I9. l

The iiat arms or bars 48, inwardly of the ends 40, have blocks 51 rigidly secured thereto by bolts 58. These blocks have right and left screw threaded openings 59, for receiving right and left screw threaded portions 60 of an operating shaft 6|. At its longitudinal center, this operating shaft has .a sprocket wheel 62, rigidly mounted thereon. This sprocket wheel has a hub 63.

Stop elements or lingers 64 are rigidly mounted upon'the bar 41, slidably contacting with theV face of the sprocket wheel, and the face of the hub 63, thereby holding the-sprocket wheel against' axial movement. It is thus seen that when the sprocket wheel 62 is rotated, the shaft 6I is rotated, and the arms 48 will be moved in opposite directions.

Means are provided to raise and lower the carriage 39, comprising a, motor 65, suitably mounted upon the bottom of the supporting structure or frame I8 and driving a sprocket wheel 66 through the medium oi' reduction gearing 61. This sprocket wheel has a sprocket chain 68 passed about it and the sprocket chain extends upwardly and is passed over a sprocket wheel 69, rotatably mounted upon a shaft 10, mounted upon the top of the supporting structure or frame I8. This sprocket chain 68 then extends downwardly and is attached to the top of one end 40, as indicated at 69. The sprocket chain 68 has its other portion passed upwardly over a sprocket wheel 18', rotatably mounted upon a vertical swinging support 1I, carried'by the frame or structure I8. This vertical swinging support is moved upwardly by a retractile coil spring 12. 'I'he chain 68 then extends downwardly and is passed about a sprocket wheel 12, rotatably mounted upon a xed shaft 13 carried by the frame I8. The sprocket chain 68 then passes upwardly and has attachment with the bottom of the end 48, as shown at 14. The motor 65 is reversible and may be operated to raise or lower the carriage 39. The motor has an automatic built-ln brake. The spring 12 serves to take the shock if the motor is not stopped at the right moment when one stack is placed upon another.

Manually operated means are provided to turn the shaft 6I, comprising a hand wheel 15, rigidly mounted upon a transverse horizontal shaft 16, journalled in bearings 11, rigidly mounted upon the diagonal angle irons 2|, as shown. The shaft 16 has a sprocket wheel 11', rigidly mounted thereon, and this sprocket wheel has a sprocket chain 18 passed about the same, as shown. This is an. endless sprocket chain. The upper portion of the endless sprocket chain is passed about a sprocket wheel 19, mounted on the shaft 10. The sprocket chain 18 is also passed about a guide sprocket wheel 80, carried by pivoted arms 8l. The lowerportion of the endless sprocket chain is passed about a sprocket wheel 82, mounted upon the xed shaft 13. The intermediate portion of the back run of the endless sprocket chain 18 is passed about the sprocket wheel 62 and is also passed about sprocket wheels 83 and 84, as shown. The sprocket wheel 83 is carried by a shaft 85, suitably journalled in the ends 48, and the sprocket wheel 84 is carried by a shaft 86, suitably journalled in the ends 40. It is thus seen that when the carriage 39 is held stationary, the hand wheel 15 may be turned, which will move the endless chain 18, which in turn will rotate the sprocket wheel 62, turning the shaft 6I. This screw threaded shaft will cause the clamps 49 to be moved inwardly or outwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation of the hand wheel 15. When the motor 65 is driven to raise or lower the carriage 39, the Ihand wheel 15 being free to rotate, the endless chain 18 will move,

but the back run of the endless chain will 'not move with respect to the sprocket wheel 62, and

hence the clamps 4'9 will remain in the selectedv adjusted position.

The machine may be used forl stacking or unstacking both lidded or 'unlidded boxes. 'I'he motor 65 is'operated to bring the carriage 39 to the right elevationl with respect to the box to be stacked. 'Ihe motor is then stopped and the wheel 15 turned to bring the clamps 49 in.. wardly toward the box and to force the pins 5I and 54 into holding engagement with the box. The adjustment of the clamps permits of the use of the device for boxes of different sizes. The motor is again driven to raise the carriage to the desired elevation so that the raised 'box is inthe suitable position to be placed upon the top of the stack, which can be conveniently accomplished by rolling the base frame I 0 into close relation to the stack. In order that the box may properly register with the stack, the supporting structure or frame I8 may be shifted laterally with respect to the base frame I8`. lThe carriage 39 may be slightly lowered and the' box placed upon the stack after which the hand wheel v.15 is turnedA in a reverse direction, so that the clamps 49 are separated from the stacked box. The operation of the clamps 49 for engagin g or disengaging the box may bel effected with the carriage 39 moved to any selected.elevation.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to 'be 8 takenas a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimis:

1. A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising a shiftable base frame, substantially horizontal guide rods mounted upon the base frame, and spaced longitudinally thereof, an upstanding support extending above the base frame, bearings secured to the lower portion of the upstanding support and slidably mounted upon'the guide rods, a rock shaft mounted upon the upstanding support, a crank carried by the rock shaft, a link connected with the crank,

means connecting the link with thebase frame,

a member to turn the rock shaft, a carriage mounted upon the upstanding support to be raised and lowered with relation thereto, means to move the carriage, and article engaging means mounted upon the carriage.

2. A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising'a wheeled base frame, substan..

tially horizontal guide rods mounted upon the` base frame and spaced horizontally thereof, an' upstanding frame extending above the base frame, bearingssecured to the lower portion of the upstanding frame and slidably mounted upon the guide rods, a rock shaft mounted upon the lower portion of the upstanding frame, a crank A be raised and lowered,

opposed clamps. members carrying the clamps and mounted upon the carriage and shiftable thereon, a screw threaded shaft having right and left screw threaded portions having screw threaded engagement with the members, a sprocket wheel mounted upon the screw threaded shaft to turn it, a sprocket chain engaging the sprocket wheel, guide sprocket wheels mounted upon the carriage andl engaging the sprocket chain, sprocket, wheels mounted upon the upstanding support and engagingthe sprocket chain, a sprocket wheel mounted upon the upstanding support and engaging the sprocket chain to advance it, a manually operated wheel to turn the last named sprocket wheel, and separate power operated means to raise and lower the carriage.

6. .A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising an upstanding frame, a carriage mounted upon the frame to move longitudinally thereof, a shaft mounted upon the upstanding frame near its top, a shaft mounted upon the upstanding frame near its bottom, upper and lower wheels mounted upon the upper and lower shafts, a flexible element passed about the upper and lower Wheels and attached to the carriage,

carried by the rock shaft, a link connected with the crank, means connecting the link with the base frame, an upstanding lever connected with the outer end of the rock shaft, a carriage mounted upon the upstanding frame, means to move the carriage, and article engaging means mountedupon the carriage. Y I

3. A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising a. base frame, wheels to support the base frame so that itrmay be shifted longitudinally, transverse guide rods mounted.

upon the base frame, an upstanding frame extending above the base frame, bearings secured to the lowei end of the upstanding frame and slidably mounted upon the guide rods, a rock shaft mounted upon the upstanding frame andA extending longitudinally of the base frame, a crank connected with j the rock shaft, a link pivotally connected with the crank, means pivot- Vally connecting the link with the base frame, an

upstanding lever disposed near one end of the base frame and mounted upon'the rock shaft to turn it, a carriage to be raised and lowered and mounted upon the upstanding frame, means to move the carriage, and article engaging means mounted upon thecarriage.

4. Amachine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising an upstanding support, a carriage mounted upon the upstanding support to be raised and lowered, opposed clamps, members carrying the clamps and mounted upon the carriage and shftable thereon, a screw threaded shaft having right and left screw threaded portions having screw threaded engagement with the members, a sprocket wheel mounted upon the screw threaded shaft tofturn it, a sprocket chain I engaging the sprocket wheel, sprocket wheels mounted upon me upstanding support and engaging the sprocket chain and guiding the same, means to move thesprocket chain, and separate means to raise and lower the carriage.

5. A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising an upstanding support, a carriage mounted upon the upstanding support to a driving wheel engaging the flexible element, a motor to operate the driving wheel, upper and lower wheels mounted upon the upper and lower shafts, an endless flexible element passed about the last named upper and lower wheels, a driving wheel engaging the endless ilexible element to move it, manually actuated means to operate the last named driving wheel, a shaft mounted upon the carriage and having right and left screw threaded portions, substantially horizontal reciprocatory members mounted upon the carriage and having screw threaded engagement with the screw threaded portions, clamps carried by the members, and a wheel mounted upon the last named shaft and engaging the endless flexible element.

'7. A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising an upstanding frame, a carriage mounted upon the frame to move longitudinally thereof, upper and lower wheels mounted upon the frame, a flexible element passed about the upper and lower, wheels and attached to the carriage, a power driven wheel engaging the flexible element, second upper and lower wheels mounted upon the frame, an endless flexible element passed about the second upper and lower wheels, a driving wheel engaging the flexible endless element, manually operated means to operate the last named driving wheel, a shaft mounted upon the carriage and having right and left screw threaded portions, substantially horizontal reciprocatory members mounted upon the carriage and having screw threaded engagement with the screw threaded portions, clamps carried by the members, a wheel mounted upon the screw threaded shaft and engaging the endless flexible element, a pivoted support, a wheel carried by the pivoted support and engaging the first named flexible element, and a spring moving the pivoted support in one direction to normally take up the slack in the first named flexible element and to automatically pay out the slack. v

8. A machine for unstacking or stacking articles, comprising a base frame, an upstanding frame extending above the base frame, means to mount the upstanding frame upon the base frame to be shifted substantially horizontally with relation to the base frame, means to shiftthe upstanding frame including an upstanding lever 7 having its upper end terminating near the intermediate portion of the upstanding frame, a carriage mounted to move longitudinally upon the upstanding frame, power operated means to raise and lower the carriage, clamping means mounted upon the carriage and including shiftable clamps,v

.per and lower arms having pins, a shaft mounted upon the carriage and having right and left screw threaded portions having screw threaded engagement with the members, means to rotate the shaft, and means to raise and lower the carriage.

10. A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising a shiftable base frame, an upstanding support extending above the base frame, means to mount the upstanding support upon the base frame so that the support is shiftable bodily substantially horizontally with relation to the base frame, a rock-shaft mounted upon the upstanding support, a crank carried by the rockshaft, a link connected with the crank, the link operating against the base frame, a manually operated member connected with the rock-shaft to turn it, a carriage mounted upon the support to be raised and lowered with relation thereto,

means to move the carriage, and article engaging means mounted upon the carriage.

11. A machine for stacking or unstacking articles, comprising a base frame, wheels to support the base frame so that it may be shifted, an upstanding i'rame, means to mount the upstanding frame upon the base frame so that it may be shifted bodily substantially horizontally with relation thereto, a carriage mounted upon the upstanding frame to be raised and lowered, opposed clamps, members carrying the clamps and mounted upon the carriage and shiftable thereon, a screw-threaded shaft having right and left hand screw-threaded portions having screwthreaded engagement with the members, a wheel mounted upon the screw-threaded shaft to turn it, a flexible element engaging the wheel, wheels mounted upon the upstanding support and engaging the flexible element and guiding the same, means to move the flexible element, and separate `means toraiseand lower the carriage.

WALTER J. KING.

REFERENCES CITED Ther following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,018,260 Myrholm Feb. 20, 1912 1,518,561 Carroll Dec. 9, 1924 1,843,735 Remde Feb. 2, 1932 1,884,356 Stuckey Oct. 25, 1932 2,059,150 Schroeder Oct. 27, 1936 2,178,369 Dunham Oct. 31, 1939 2,259,558 Evans Oct. 21, 1941 2,323,810 Fontaine July 6, 1943 2,324,817 Bratley July 20, 1943 2,366,378 Barrett Jan. 2, 1945 

